02 July 2011

Le Tour De France 2011: Stage 1

Back went the tide, and out burst the riders to begin Le Tour De France 2011.

Couple things first: I like Craig Hummer as the roaming reporter, but will miss him in the booth. He had good chemistry with Bob, Paul and Phil. Our new guy is still fighting the vocabulary and a year ago was doing a convoluted table show on Versus with Jenn Sterger.

The opening video to start the show (I can't find it online) was excellent and did a great job to pump up the viewer and make them want to watch.

Now... on to the stage. We had a break away from the drop of the flag, three riders who won't matter in the end of it, and by 20k to go, the Peleton had caught them. The story of the day isn't the break away... it was the wrecks.

Once again Contador finds himself stuck behind a wreck and losing time to rivals... a minute seventeen seconds to Cadel Evans. That is a gap that matters.

Onto the Sprinters fun... Tyler Farrah "won" the bunch dash in the intermediate sprint. Because of the wrecks he didn't figure in the finish, but his points will serve him well. Let's hope we can see an American in Green.

Tomorrow... the Team Time Trial. This is easily one of the most unique looking bike races you'll ever see. Talk to you tomorrow.